Monday, May 31, 2004

Ok...I've made a huge mess today, cleaning. (Yeah already) And it doesn't look like I'm going to find my bed anytime soon, so I'm going to do my MAMBO now.

In case you were wondering, I found what I was looking for while cleaning. Yay for the silly black and white striped skirt I thought was AWOL!

Now onto the meme...

This is a special Music Mambo this week.

Why is it special?

Cos Crazies...The Mambo This Week is "THIS IS YOUR LIFE" (in music)

I'm going to post a few questions and you get to tell us which songs most suit that part of your life or event in your life.

1. Song By The First Band You LikedThe first band I liked was the Beatles. To be different and off the wall and not use the two obvious songs which for me are Nowhere Man and I'll Follow the Sun, I'll choose For No One, a beautiful track from Revolver that I love dearly. Paul McCartney sure can pen a beautiful ballad.

2. The Song That Makes You Think Of Your Best FriendThis is a really hard question for me, as I'm not speaking to the person I considered one of my best friends. I'll still say, The Damned's version of Eloise and as far as online friends go, The Moody Blues Your Wildest Dreams for Cheryl and MoodyMistress.

3. A Song By The First Band You Saw In ConcertFirst concert was the Monkees, so my choice will be Daydream Believer, my very favorite Monkees song. I love and still love Davy Jones.

4. A Song That Reminds You Of College/SchoolCollege? Would you believe One Night In Bangkok from the Chess Soundtrack? I was heavily into musical theatre in my last year of high school and college years. I'm getting back into that world again. Chess is one of my favorite musicals, Music by the male half of Abba, lyrics by the fantastically talented Tim Rice.

5. A Song That Makes You Think Of A Boyfriend/Girlfriend (Love) Past Or Present.Skin by Oingo Boingo makes me think of my high school boyfriend who got me into Oingo Boingo to start with. We were a mismatched pair if ever there was one, but I send out my thanks to him for introducing me to this quirky fun band.

And now it's time for a bit of Monday fun. The first of the two Monday memes. So without further adieu, here goes the meme

1. What was the name of the last movie you watched (dvd, vhs, theatre, or tv)?Oh geeze...I think you know, if you read yesterday's post. VAN HESLING! It's all about Dracula

2. What were you doing on the internet before coming here?I was replying to a few comments made on my LiveJournal.

3. What color of pen do you usually write with?I have an odd preference for black ink and I truly don't know why.

4. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?Most likely it was my friend Mary, when she called to find out when to pick my sister and I up for the movie.

5. When is your birthday? (month and day)July 2 (buy me prezzies..cos it's a milestone year and I need to ward off depression)

6. How organized is your computer desk?It's not. It's a mess, and that's how I like it.

7. How many calendars do you have in your house?I have a Moody Blues Calender up on my door and I think there's a religious calender from church downstairs somewhere. So there's at least two, but at the risk of getting hit with a lightning rod, mine is prettier.

8. Do you clip coupons and use them when doing your grocery shopping?I clip restaurant coupons and beauty aid coupons, I don't grocery shop as I'm still living with the parental units.

9. Are you a morning person or a night owl?I'm a night owl that's been forced to keep morning hours. It's kinda odd though, it's late now and I'm not sleepy. That's a first. The past few nights I've been dead tired by 11:30

Sunday, May 30, 2004

Well it was a lovely day all around today. I took a rather nice walk today and went to the movies and saw...erm...mutters....Van Helsing. There are parts of this movie that I can quote along with the film.

I've been walking about reciting the "I am hollow" scene all night.

I'm totally and completely obsessed with Richard Roxburgh. I'm a sad pathetic creature, but oh well, I can't help it.

I've been in a very gothic kind of mood. Gothic as in, I'm reading vampire novels, the vampire novel I'm writing is coming along swimmingly and I'm really enjoying watching vampire movies. I watched the Francis Ford Coppola version of Dracula yesterday. I really enjoyed it, but geeze, you should never watch a vampire movie during the day, it's no fun.

I'm also reading Bram Stoker's Dracula...along with the book listed on the side of the blog. (Note to self, reading one book at a time is much easier) It's a very slow read for me, as all literature seems to be for me, except Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera (which I've read about 8 times), but I'm enjoying it so far, and trying to not picture Keanu Reaves as Jonathon Harker. (why? cos Keanu annoys the heck out of me)

But lets move onto a fab subject. I bought a LBD (little black dress) today, for 5 dollars at Dots! It's gorgeous and it fits like a dream and it was only 5 dollars...and it was a medium and it was only 5 dollars...And did I mention it was only 5 dollars?

If someone would take a picture of me, I'd post it so you can see how precious it is, but no one in this house ever takes pictures of me. It's for the good of the cameras actually. We wouldn't want them to be abused by having to flash at me.

So all in all it's been a pretty spectacular day. Now I just have to do a bit of cleaning and writing before bed, and all will be good. Oh and a bit of exercise, cos I ate like a piggly wiggly today. (but every so often an omelet is good for dinner, especially if it's from Bob Evans)

It's time for another Sunday Brunch, as I crawl out of bed today. From the looks of the questions on this one, I'm going to be embarrassed about my answers. But anyway, here's the post, and I promise I'll blab about something else later on today.

Rise and Shine!

1. What time do you normally wake up?My eyes usually shoot open around 6 a.m. when I'm working and sadly it's usually only and hour or so later on weekends and days off. How pathetic is that? No, don't answer that.

2. Do you wake with or without an alarm clock?I have a natural alarm clock, plus I still live with my parents, so I don't need one, but when I'm away from home, there's always an alarm clock to wake me. It's there as a safety precaution.

3. Name the one thing you must have immediately to start your day.Some people need coffee, I need Coca-Cola. I can't function without it. Nope..Can't do it. Bring my carbonated caffeinefest and bring it to me now!

4. How long after you wake up do you turn on your computer?Uh, let's just say that the first thing I do is turn on the computer. I tend to get my morning news from the computer rather than the telly anymore.

5. Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Do you eat breakfast every day?Breakfast is a Slim Fast shake & my diet vitamin. I have them everyday. I don't like breakfast food in the morning. If I'm going to eat an omelet or something like that, I'd prefer to have it for dinner.

Saturday, May 29, 2004

This is going to be one of those lazy weekends. I'm going to read, probably Dracula and not the book I claim to be reading. I have this nasty habit of reading two or more books at a time. I just finished reading the tie-in book to Van Helsing. Just so I could close my eyes and picture the Divine Dracula, Mr. Sex On A Stick With A Glass Of Champagne.

It was a fluff book, not really worth the time it took to read it, but frankly I didn't care. I got to giggle at all the parts of the book that I liked in the movie. So, I just had to read it. Just like I have to read Dracula and Frankenstein now. Believe it or not I've owned copies of these books, but have never got around to reading them until now.

Much like Les Miserables, which I read not to long ago. I'm tempted to say that I read again, but I know in High School I didn't really read it. I sometimes think that some of the literature that's forced down students throats isn't on the level of the reader. It took a lot of appreciation for the story to get me to sit down and read one of the abridged versions. Someday I'll read the whole enormous volume. At 29, I was ready to understand, a lot more than I was at 14 or 15.

So I'm devoting today to being entirely lazy and enjoying doing not much of anything, except going for a walk.

I did make an interesting mix cd. I have a blog over at Art of the Mix and I decided to make a mix with one of the other bloggers there. We used the theme debut albums track 2. It turned out really well I think. I came to appreciate some songs I might have scoffed at prior to building this disc. I won't discuss which ones they were. Nope...won't do it.
Check out the mix on my page to see the tracklist. I'm open to making a mix or two like this with anyone else that's interested.

I'm now going to move on to the rest of my day of laziness. Bram Stoker's Dracula calls, and perhaps I'll even watch the movie or...oh my god..make some mix cds, cos there's a vacation coming up quickly and I'll need some spectacular tunage for the journey. Who knows what will happen on a day of laziness. I'm just confused as to why I'm up well before 9 a.m.

Friday, May 28, 2004

These are the things that terrify me the most...No alien psychopath or MTV host, scares me like Vampires Mummies and the Holy Ghost

Special Thanks to Jimmy Buffett for providing the lyrics and title of the post. Yes, I'm still talking about vampires. I'm sure most of you think my fascination with Van Helsing is a bit odd. Well, to be honest, I went to see the movie on a whim. I knew Hugh Jackman was in it, and well he's darn pretty to look at. I was also told, Mr. Dracula in the film was pretty fine.

FINE?

That's a bit of an understatement.

I like the words sex god..and actually from now on, when I refer to Richard Roxburgh, he'll be known as Mr. Sex On A Stick With A Glass Of Champagne.

Mmmmm, somebody let me know where I can get one of those!

But the vampire fetish didn't start there. I've always been intrigued by vampire lore. I read The Vampire Lestat when I was in junior high, either 8th or 9th grade, I can't really recall. Lestat is one of my favorite vamps, when Anne Rice isn't making his character rather pitiful. I remember reading Tale of the Body Thief and thinking, no this isn't the Lestat she wrote about in her other books.

I have dozens of books about vampires, romances and horror alike and then there's the vampire novel I'm working on. So yeah, I do like vampires.

I also like cheesy vampire tv shows. Anyone remember Dark Shadows? I was a huge fan of the remake that only lasted a few weeks in the early 90's. Mmmm Ben Cross played Barnabas Collins. What a lovely vampire he was. I've also enjoyed watching the original soap opera, Dark Shadows on Sci - Fi. Very bad acting, but still amusing. Passions is like that a bit these days, but I can't tear myself from One Life To Live to watch it anymore.

And while I'm on the subject of vampires on tv, did any of you ever watch Forever Knight? The lovely vamp Nick Knight of the Toronto PD. Another gorgeous man. Who really wants to see an ugly vampire? I don't. I think that's why I'm not fond of the early movies. To me vampires are the epitome of all that is seductive and forbidden. So if the vampire hopes to seduce me, he better be handsome. Nick Knight was definitely that. The actor that played him is Geriant Wyn Davies. I hope I got the spelling right on that. Beautiful man, but not as beautiful as Roxburgh.

Thursday, May 27, 2004

That's what life is really isn't it? I've had a lot of the mixture lately, the good and the bad. Stuff that I wish I could change but can't. I hate feeling powerless over things.

I've come to a few conclusions about life at this point. At least about my life, that is.

1. As far as dieting goes. I have to walk like a fiend and eat next to nothing to get the scale to budge, but guess what, I've almost gotten rid of my 7 pounds of weird monthly spare tire. Now onto the other 20 lbs I don't need or want. I will fit in my sexy hip huggers properly for the Moody Blues show in a few weeks dammit.

2. When things go bad, they ruin all the other good things that are coming up. I have a really bad feeling about those Moody Blues shows. I'm not even looking forward to them anymore. Thanks, David Bowie...and those two former friends of mine.

3. I'm better off alone.

No I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm actually telling you how I feel right now. Yes, things have been hard here, they still are. If I posted about all the crap in my life, you wouldn't want to read this, because it would be too depressing. I don't think my intention has ever been to come off sounding depressing.

Frustrated, Yes?

I'm very frustrated, with life and everything about it right now. But like I said, there have been a few pluses lately.

3. I have some ideas for the additions to Broken Dreams/MOOT. Now if only some of the people who read it after its completion would tell me what they think of it.

My life revolves around the stories that I write. You wouldn't believe how much time I've put into what I write. I can only tell you I've written several hundred pages in the last few months. I might even say since last August I've done nearly 600 pages total when you combine all the stories I've written.

Week 2 - Trilogies
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King has officially hit the stores this week (I bought the first copy at my local Borders yesterday). Trilogies have been popular in the movies for years. This week we look at questions based on some famous cinematic triumvarites:

1) The Back to the Future Trilogy sent Marty McFly 30 years into the future, 30 years into the past (twice!) and 100 years into the past. Which of these time periods would you like to visit in your 1.21 gigawatt-powered DeLorean, and why?

Well I can tell you it wouldn't be 30 years in the past. I'd hate to come across myself as a newborn. Actually right now, I wouldn't even be a newborn, I'd still be in my mom's belly. I wonder how exciting 1974 was anyway? No, no I don't. I think I'd go for the future, just to see how the world has advanced in 30 years. I probably wouldn't mind 100 years into the past either except I'd still be in the good ole US and I'd prefer to be somewhere in England.

2) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was, of course, based on a famous trio of novels by JRR Tolkien. What sci-fi/fantasy/genre novels or series would you like to see turned into a Peter-Jackson-directed/George-Lucas-written/Steven-Speilberg-produced trilogy?

I wonder if they could do a better job with the first three Anne Rice books? That would be so wonderful. What Hollywood did to Interview with a Vampire and Queen of the Damned is criminal. Tom Cruise as Lestat, I don't think so. GAH!

3) Next summer, there will be two complete Star Wars trilogies in the history books. What's your strangest or most interesting Star Wars experience?

Don't have any. I don't like Star Wars, nope don't like it. I saw the first two when I was a wee bitty girl in the theaters. That's my only real experience. I've no desire to relive them. They don't excite me.

Bonus) While the Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones movies are currently only trilogies, plans are in the works for a fourth movie in both series. What trilogy might've been better served with a fourth movie? Which trilogy would've been better if they had left it at only one movie?

Can you say Scary Movie. One is more then enough! As for adding movies, please, no! The business of sequels and trilogies, when they aren't needed, is just a money making scheme from Hollywood. Make a good movie, then go make another, but don't exhaust the characters and come up with lame plots!

But if you want to do a prequel of sorts that would tell me a bit more about Van Helsing and Dracula...from the beginning, well, I probably wouldn't object.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Yup, the wacky ladies at BDI are at it again, with another Mind Hump. C'mon, you know you want to hump with me. ~wink Wink~

Today is also National Blueberry Cheesecake day. As a warm up, using the letters B-L-U-E-B-E-R-R-Y reveal some interesting facts about you.

B-elligerent - at least I feel that way today
L-ucky I could find something that started with "L"
U-nloved
E-verytime I have to do one of these, I get a brain cramp
B-onafide nutcase
E-eeep, I can't think of anything else with an "E"
R-eady to go to work
R-eally would rather stay home and write
Y-esterday I nearly impaled my heal on a door. (it hurts like heck too)

Alrightee Then! Now that we're warmed up - let's hump, shall we?

This week a "getting to know you hump" with an insane twist. Ready? Set! HUMP!

01. You are battery operated - what are you? What size batteries do you require and how many?

Why do I have a strange desire to say a sex toy? I take many many double A batteries if you want to keep me going.

02. Ohmigosh! You're on the cover of the National Inquirer (or other trash magazine)! What is the headline? Give us an except for the inside story?

Luscious Writer Breaks Up Another Hollywood Marriage

Yes, Andrea Guy is at it again. This time making Richard Roxburgh and his bride of Dracula split. This is the 4th happy couple the racy writer has come between. First she caused a rift between the longstanding couple Justin and Marie Hayward. Then, when she tired of the Moody Blues troubadour, she moved on to Elvis Costello, who left 3rd wife Diana Krall to be with her. Several novels later, and she was on the move again this time shattering the relationship between Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. One would think she would have stopped there, but no, Andrea had to move on to hunky Dracula star, Richard Roxburgh. Who's safe from her predatory nature? Inquiring minds want to know.

03. If you could be ANY sex symbol (living or dead) who would it be and why? What question do you think you'd most get asked?

I wouldn't mind being Marilyn Monroe. Simply because she was so beautiful, even though she was troubled in her life. The question I'd get asked most? Did I really sleep with JFK>

04. You are lighter than air, you float. C'mon, introduce youself - what are you?

I'm floating about and you can see right through me. A gentle breeze sends me flying. Don't get too close or touch, cos pop! I'm a bubble.

05. Your blog just won an award for being the best. What is it for? You've also also been given an "award" for being the worst. What is it for.

Best Musical Rants and Reviews, of course!
Worst Blog for Revealing Personal Info.

Extra credit hump: In honor of National Blueberry Cheesecake Day, what's the most creative use for a blueberry you can conjure up?

A blueberry? or a blueberry cheesecake? Hmmm I bet Richard Roxburgh would taste good covered in them.

I don't know what it is about the movie that has taken hold of my brain lately. I guess it's just my love for vampires, especially pretty ones.

Mmmm....Roxula..erm. I mean Dracula.

I finished up on the movie tie-in book, which was nifty in the way that only a movie tie in book can be. It was like seeing the movie all over again. Only when I read it, I knew I could have written the story better.

Though I would have been a tempermental writer for that one. I would have had requests, so that I could feel the story.

Mmmm...the writer would like to get a better feel for Dracula. So, just send Roxburgh to me, and I'll get a feel for him. You might want to send Hugh Jackman and David Wenham along too. I probably need to get a feel for them too.

The Brides? Heck no...especially not Silvia Colloca.

~shudders~

Cos she's literally going to be Roxburgh's bride.

Blech!

I won't grumble that all of my concubines have to be married or getting married. Blech! Spoils some good fantasies with reality that does.

Anyway, I'm addicted to the movie, and Mr. Roxburgh. I've seen Van Helsing twice and will likely see it a few more times before it goes away. I also have a dvd list of movie's Richard was in, (besides Moulin Rouge) that I need to see.

God, why did they have to make him look so unattractive in Moulin Rouge..and why of why did Nicole Kidman have to feel him up in that movie.

Nice work if you can get it.

Damn it, why am I only a secretary?

Oh yeah, cos its the work that I can get.

Drat.

Ah well, here's hoping that this weekend brings viewing number 3 of Van Helsing. Hey it only grossed 10 million last week, I feel bad. I must do my part in making the film a success.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

I was seriously considering what my type was today for some strange reason. Almost everyone has one, but I don't think I really do. At least not one that's discernable by features of the eye-candy in question.

I don't know what made me start thinking about this today. Maybe it was just a bout of feeling sorry ofr myself and maybe I was just trying to rationalize my strangeness. Whatever the case may be I was thinking on it a lot today.

Let me list a few of my heartthrobs for you, my concubines, if you will.

Justin Hayward - Blonde blue eyed godJohn Lodge - Tall hazel eyed hunk with lovely curly locksElvis Costello - Intelligent, snarky geek, with a way for wordsGreg Proops - ditto, only he can't sing for crapRichard Coyle - Dark curly haired actor, best known for playing the bumbling Jeff on the UK Coupling seriesJohnny Depp - Sex on a stickRichard Roxburgh - Sex on a stick with a glass of champagne

OK, so Justin and Richard both are blondes with piercing baby blues, but the rest aren't. Greg and Elvis are similar in features and both look like the prototype geekboy, but still there's very little to link them.

Oh wait, yes there is. Well besides all of them being spoken for, they are all beyond my reach.

Things that only dreams are made of. Men that even if they were to walk down the street of my little hamlet of Charleroi on Mon, would not give me a second glance or the time of day.

Hell, no man gives me the time of day. If I had a second look from anyone, I think I'd fall over dead. That's why I gave up on dating after my last relationship fiasco, oh god, six years ago. Yup, I gave up hope at 24 and so far there's been nothing to hope about.

So why not have a bunch of pretty men to fantasize about. It's not as if the world is beating a pathway to my door! Ha! The road is overgrown with weeds, cos the world is walking the other way.

Do you think it's possible to desensitize yourself from people? I know in the past few years I've come to hate people touching me, even as far as a hug, if its not a person I'm fully acquainted with. I don't like people getting to close. I might even go as far as to say I don't even want people to get too close.

Pardon me, while I pretty up this post before you start feeling really sorry for me.

Monday, May 24, 2004

Ok, thanks to the wacky ladies at BDI, here's the Monday Music Mambo..Let's get dancing!

Are you crazies ready to rock the house with some Mambo action this Monday? I know you are!!

So lets get warmed up....Mambo around the room a few times. No, don't do that, you might be at work and people will think you're crazy!!

Let's start out by telling us a bit about yourself using the words "Mambo"

Moody Blues and Monkees Fan
Always ready to have some fun
Music is what makes me happy
Beatles, John Paul George and Ringo. My Favorites
Ordinary World...I'm trying to make my way there.

And since we're all in a dancing kinda mood....here's the rest. It's a bit of "I say, you think," but with a twist.

I'm going to say one word...and you list as many things as you want that come to mind when you see it.

Are you ready?

Are ya sure?

Here it is.....

DANCE

Dirty Dancing: one godawful movie that everyone loved from the 80's
Electric Slide and the Acky Breaky: Line dancing is evil
Dancing Queen: Yay for ABBA!
I Wanna Dance With Somebody: One of the only good Whitney Housten songs.
Dracula: One of the only ballets that I've seen, and it was smashing.
Cats: Fatastic dancing and songs
Moulin Rouge: Do the Can Can Can...but let me do it with the dastardly duke!
Lambada!
Vogue!
Dancing the Night Away - Cheap Trick
Careless Whisper: I am never going to dance again, the way I danced with you.
Techno Pop: The best music to dance to.
Bump and grind

A brand new meme, that usually will be posted on Tuesdays...but woot, it's up a day early, so I'm going to go for this one.

1. Did you watch any of the finales (Friends, Frasier, The Practice, etc)? Which show do you wish would just end right now? Which would you like to have back? I watched Frasier. I hated Friends, never watched the Practice. I think Frasier was the only one that I could stomach every now ant then, so I'd have to say, that's the only one I'd like to have back. That and I think David Hyde Pierce is a doll baby. Remember, with this girl, it's all about the eye-candy.

2. Gwyneth Paltrow named her new baby Apple Blythe Allison. Using the formula: name one random object, your mother's name, one random normal name, what would your celebrity baby's name be? Heart Jane Angela ...last name...Roxburgh!! (OK..I like to dream)

3. Any movie you're really looking forward to watching? If you already saw it, what did you think? Now that I've seen Van Helsing ah...2 times, I'm looking forward to The Stepford Wives and Delovely. Delovely, because it's about Cole Porter's life and it stars Kevin Kline and has a cameo by Elvis Costello. And as for The Stepford Wives...lets just say I like any movie with Christopher Walken.

But as for the movie that I loved from this summer... Van Helsing...and you all know why!

4. Recently, Cyndi Lauper's "Time after Time" and The Cure's "Lovesong" have been remade. Which song would you choose to remake (regardless of singing ability)? If I could kill one song and make a fortune off of it, it would be Elvis Costello's This House Is Empty Now. Just a beautiful song, and I'd love to be able to sing it, better than Anne Sofie Von Otter.

5. American Idol will end this week. Do you think this year was fair or has the best singer already been voted off? I think they should all be voted off the American Idol Island. Stop with the prefabricated pop star nonsense America, and find some people with real talent.

I'm glad to say that I'm feeling better about things and life in general right now. I still wish some of the things that went down last week would change, but I'm not the one that needs to extend the olive branch this time.

Sure when things collapse in friendship, it's usually the fault of both parties. I openly admit that, but if I have done anything, it's very little. Some respect really was needed here. But I'm not going to let this continue to bother me. If they were really friends, this would have been put aside last week, and not left to fester the way it has.

So onto happy news. A friend of mine saw the Moody Blues over the weekend. Yay for her! It seems like forever til my concerts. But that's not what I'm happy about. (not that I'm not happy she saw them) Talking Out of Turn has returned to the setlist as did The Other Side of Life and Voices In The Sky.

Big old Squee!

I shall be a puddle of goo at the end of the AC show. I'm also pleased to know December Snow wasn't lost in the "It ain't the holidays anymore" shuffle. Hey guys, wanna play "Don't Need A Reindeer?"

More happy things...

I saw Van Helsing again this weekend. I really don't give a damn how cheesy it is at times. This movie is an eye - candyfest and Dracula can bite me any time he wants.

Ok, I took last week off, but now the Monday memes return with Monday Madness first in line!

This week it's all about blogs! On to the questions...

1. I started blogging about 2 years ago.
2. I try to post a new entry in my blog about every day, sometimes more than once.3. I read about 35 - 40 blogs on a regular basis. (It's a good thing some people don't update daily
4. I change my layout about 2 to 3 times a year. (It's about that time, anyone want to help me?)
5. I used to have a life, and now I blog instead. (no that's a lie, I never had a life)
6. I spend more time blogging than I do reading, and I'm ashamed of that.7. I tend to blog (and visit blogs) most in the morning, though I go to my friends blogs when I get home from work.
8. The thing I enjoy most about blogging is all the wonderful online friends I've acquired, specifically those on the BDI site. And a host of others, who can be found in my dailies list. I loves ya all. Big Smootchies to ya!

Sunday, May 23, 2004

I made this mix about a month ago, but I just received a similar mix from an Art of the Mix Blogger. We did a mini swap of these mixes, and he included the reasons why he chose the 20 songs that he did. Smart idea! So instead of typing it up and mailing it, I'm going to post it here for all of you to see.

01. The Beatles - Think For Yourself: This track from Rubber Soul has always been one of my favorites. Though I couldn't begin to list the many tracks that I love, this is one that sticks out, because it's my favorite George Harrison song from the Beatle days.

02. The Monkees - Saturday's Child: This one is just one of those fun happy, bouncy songs, that I adored as a child. Times haven't changed and this is still one Monkees song that can make me grin when I hear it.

03. The Moody Blues - Gemini Dream: Could it be possible for me to pick a favorite Moody Blues song? Not really, so I had to come up with the best of both worlds, meaning the best of Hayward and Lodge, and this is it. It's a damn good song, great harmonies and both Jays on vocals.

04. Herman's Hermits - Just A Little Bit Better: Cheesy happy 60's pop, that I love. I've always liked the pop of the 60's. It was so innocent and so sweet. This song is a great example and another track that can't help but make me smile. Now ain't that just a little bit better?

05. Manfred Mann - The Mighty Quinn: Written by Dylan and quite possibly the most infectious song ever! (ok, next to Don't Need a Reindeer) I have one thing to say about this one. The chorus. Hear it once and it will never ever leave your head. Just when you think it's gone, it's BACK!!

06. David Bowie - Life On Mars: Quite possibly my favorite Bowie song. I won't say anymore on the subject, but he did play it in Pittsburgh. Thanks David!

07. ABBA - The Piper: Not one of there more well known tracks, but one I've loved since buying the Super Trooper CD. Like all their songs, it's catchy and light and just fun. Can you tell I like fun music?

08. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - The Waiting: I've been a Petty fan for quite awhile. This wasn't the song that started it, but it's the song I always go back to when you ask me what my favorite Tom Petty track is.

09. Fleetwood Mac - The Chain: Do I even have to explain this one. If you like Mac, this has to be one of their most stellar efforts. I have a dozen favorites, but I couldn't ignore this one on the mix.

10. Nick Lowe - When I Write The Book: I've exhausted Cruel To Be Kind and Rose of England on previous mixes, I was tempted to do dueling tracks with the next song being Elvis Costello's Everyday I Write the Book, but I decided against the cheese factor. This song is a wonderful example of the pop magic that Nick produces every time he sits down to write a song.

11. Cheap Trick - I Can't Take It: Let me just say, catchy pop tune. The video was what really drew me in. You'd have to understand my youthful crush on Robin Zander to know the full reasoning on this.

12. Elvis Costello - Just About Glad: Another artist that I can't pick a favorite from. So I went for something less obvious from one of my favorite albums, Brutal Youth. (Mind you, I can't pick a favorite album either)

13. Glass Tiger - I'm Still Searching: A song from their almost unheard second album, Diamond Sun. I remember seeing the video, only once and being in love with this song. I rank this band as one of Canada's finest pop bands.

14. Duran Duran - None Of The Above: It was a single...maybe, but just not here. It was a single somewhere. From the Wedding Album that spawned Come Undone and Ordinary World, a song that shouldn't have been ignored. Probably one of LeBon's best songwriting efforts. Probably the reason this song was ignored. Only the LeBon songs that make no sense become huge hits.

15. Erasure - Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summers Day): Did I mention I love 80's pop? This is a long ambient track from their self titled album from the late 90's. Again, I choose the catchy song. This is another band where I have a difficult time chosing a favorite from. I love so many. I just had to have a representative from this band on here.

16. Oingo Boingo - Try To Believe: The album, Dark At The End Of The Tunnel was the first full length Boingo CD I bought, this is my favorite song from that album and it's a tie for my favorite Boingo song. Don't make me choose between this and We Close Our Eyes, cos I can't do it.

17. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Slowdive: I only have a handful of female vocalists that I truly adore, Siouxsie Sioux is one of them. This song is one of her earlier singles and where it's a bit dark, it's still a winner in my book. I'm a pop tart with goth tendencies? Oye!

18. XTC - King For A Day: Colin Moulding's best effort on the Oranges & Lemons CD that is probably one of XTC's finest albums. Again, it was hard to pick a favorite here. Just a sample of the songwriting talents that lurk in this band.

19. Semisonic - Chemistry: I bet you thought they were one hit wonders. Ha! This is from the album All About Chemistry. They should not be dismissed after the huge smash, Closing Time. Give them another listen, all their songs are that good!

20. Matchbox 20 - Long Day: Thanks to Rob Thomas for being on of the only newbies to the rock world, oh geeze, he's been around for too long to be a newbie, but one of the finest songwriters of recent days. This is a great song off the debut album, an album everyone should own.

I have a real post ready for later in the day, but I thought I'd start the morning off right with some brunch. So without further adieu

A Few of My Favorite Things

1. What is your favorite color?Black. No ifs ands or buts about it. Most of my wardrobe is black or has black in it. I love the darkness, much like my buddy Dracula. Mmmmm Dracula.

2. What is your favorite piece of clothing?I have this really cool pair of flare pants, the bell bottom part is sheer. Absolutely gorgeous and they only cost 10 bucks. What's not to love?

3. Where is your favorite place to eat out?ARGH! Brain crampage on that one. There are so many places. I'll say Pasta Too for when I'm staying outside the city in the burbs. But when I want to be in the fair (cough, cough) city of Pittsburgh,(preferably the South Side) the restaurant of choice is Paparazzis. Both are Italian places, btw.

4. What is your favorite meal?Dinner, because it's usually the only meal I can sit down properly to eat. Every other meal is rushed, or nonexistent.

5. What is your favorite sport or recreational game?Sport? Ewww you mean as in games played outside and require sweat to form on my body? Ewww! I like Hockey, and only occasionally. I'm not a big sports fan at all. It bores me.

Saturday, May 22, 2004

Its been a long time since I've really had a weekend to myself. I guess I have a lot of them now. Sad part is, I don't really care. I'm used to being alone and doing nothing or just what I want. I'm a hopeless loner.

So I'm going to try to look on the bright side of this mess I'm in now.

1. I'm going to save money now, because I'm not going to be running out on weekends when I really can't afford it. (which is what I've been doing for a year now)

2. I can stop being the ugly one on outings. Woot! I'm sick of being the ugly one.

3. My stories won't suffer on the weekends anymore, at least not until a good movie comes out. Or Van Helsing goes to the dollar theater, in which case I'm going to spend a whole day watching that one. (much like I wanted to do with Pirates of the Caribbean)

So, yeah, you can safely say I'm still upset by the events of Monday night. OK, I'm very upset by that. It's all so small and trivial, but it made me feel used. GAH!

I guess the sooner I get over it the better off I'll be. There's nothing I can do about it except forget about it and move on.

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go back to work on my story and then prepare for another helping of Van Helsing. Mmmm Vampric eye candy, my favorite.

Friday, May 21, 2004

I'm thankful for the end to a week that should have been fabulous. And for those of you that asked about the Bowie show, let's just say I've learned my lesson about going to concerts with friends that are more obsessed with the artist than I.

Nuff said there, except to say, those friends aren't my friends anymore. I hold grudges for a long time, and I'm sure some of you know that. The concert was fabulous. David Bowie puts on a wonderful show. I couldn't complain about that if I wanted to.

So I learned a few things this week.

1. I will never ever go to a fan meet up for any band that I like.
2. If I want to go to a concert, I think I'll drag my big sister or my friend Jason. (Its safer that way)

So, yeah, I'm glad it's all over. It's a shame I'm not going to look back on the Bowie show with any fond feelings, other than it was a great show.

So to end this week. There is one high point, I found out there is a movie tie-in novel for Van Helsing. You know I'm buying that one, today if at all possible. So that means this weekend I'm going to be reading all about my favorite movie character of the moment, which will brighten my day considerably.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Wow! I haven't been very talkative this week, even though I missed out on my Monday Memes do to a concert, that I almost wish I hadn't gone to. No, I lie, I do wish I hadn't gone.

That's probably the main reason why I haven't blogged much this week, besides the memes. It's not post concert depression either. I know what that feels like, and as much as Mr. Bowie was fantastic and beautiful and all those wonderful things that he should have been, I'm glad its over.

There is one thing I forgot, in my week of memes, and that's to post my Bowie pic from the show.

So for those of you interested, here it is.

I won't be mentioning Bowie much any time soon. I'd kinda like to forget the whole thing ever happened, even though I got to see Bowie's crotch up close and personal. It was an enlightening experience. Come to think of it the whole experience was enlightening.

A brand spanking new meme, and I'm having a go at the very first one. If you want to play along, just go here.

Week 1 - Animation.

1. What is your favorite animated movie?My favorite animated movie is Yellow Submarine. I used to live for the one time a year that it got played on the telly. It combined everything I loved into one feature, the Beatles their music and cartoons. I couldn't be any happier. Now if only I could find my video, so I could watch it again.

2. Which animated movie is your least favorite?An American Tale. Remember that dratted mouse Fievel. Did I spell that right? Oh he grated on my nerves and the theme song...Owie on the ears. It couldn't get much worse than that.

3. Who is your favorite animated movie character? Jack Skellington. Mostly because his singing voice is Danny Elfman, but I liked Jack. Nightmare Before Christmas is my second favorite film and Jack was just so lovable, trying to do everything right, reaching for his dreams but ultimately getting it wrong.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Let's warm up with a new exercise. Think of a clich�, a favorite saying, a sampling of your favorite lyrics or a snippet from your favorite poem or movie. For instance, "... the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Now, hump it up! Here's how the example would translate, " ... the hump, the whole hump and nothing but the hump." The possibilities are endless ... have fun with it! Ready? Hump it up!

Well to go along with the movie still in my head right now.

Dracula to Van Helsing

~ Is that a silver hump?

Okay, now that we're all warmed up let's move on to a little Mind Humping fun with "I say ___, you think ___." In response to the following list of words enter the first words, phrase, idea or thought that comes into your ever humpin' mind. Ready? Put on your humping caps.

If I were a little more awake, I'd give you a better play by play of last night's show. Suffice to say that as usual, Pittsburgh gets the shortest concerts ever played by the man.

The reason, the damn union for, I believe, the stage hands. The show had to end by 11 pm. So instead of 2.5 hours that he usually plays, he only played 2. Not that I'm complaining too much, though I would have liked to see him do 5 Years, which has been part of his encore most of this leg of the tour.

The good thing about this show as opposed to the 95 show that I saw, was that he did the hits as well as new tracks and an oddity or two. Space Oddity was the only well known track done in 95. This time round, we got Ashes To Ashes, Station To Station, Modern Love, China Girl, Ziggy Stardust, plus Rebel Rebel and New Killer Star to name a few, out of order.

Monday, May 17, 2004

Long about one or two o'clock my friends and I will be off to the fine (cough cough) city of Pittsburgh to see David Bowie.

The last time I saw him in concert was 1995 I believe, on the tour for The Outside album. Fantastic show, if you knew what he was singing, which since the album wasn't out yet, most of us didn't. That combined with him touring with NIN, made things all the more exciting, or perhaps weird would be a better word.

So I'm working til about 1 o'clock and then I'm heading home to get ready to go. The best part of this is he's playing the Benedum Center. Woot! Mind you this is where the Moody Blues should be playing, but oh well, such is life.

So, in case I don't get to do the Monday Music Mambo, or anything else today....Here's the man I'm going to be dancing the Mambo with in my post concert dreams.

1. Is your hair its natural color right now and do you wear your hair long or short?I'd probably say my hair is just slightly darker than it's natural shade. Speaking of which, it's going to be time to make the trek to Wally Mart to buy some hair dye soon. As to the length of my hair, it's a inverted bob, short in the back and longer in the front with baby bangs.

2. Shirts: long sleeves or short?Ah, back to the weather. It really all depends on how hot or cold it is. And you've also left out two other important categories when it comes to shirts/blouses, three quarter length sleeves and no sleeves at all. I own some of each.

3. Do you wear a belt?Only if I'm wearing a suit and I really need to complete the look. I prefer bracelets and earrings etc as accessories, I've never been keen on belts unless they are the chain variety that don't really serve a purpose except decoration.

4. Tell me about your favorite bottom wear (pants/jeans/shorts/skirts).Capris are my favorites. Which makes getting dressed at this time of year a bit easier. If I can't wear capris, then I'll go for skirts, being 5'3ish makes finding regular pants a pain in the butt!

5. How many pairs of shoes do you own?Too many to count. Just call me Imelda

What a yummy movie this was! I don't think I've ever sat through a movie that long and remained completely riveted to the screen the whole time.

It could be that I'm just completely enthralled by vampires. I love vampires. (especially hot sexy ones like Richard Roxburgh) Let me tell you, this movie has definitely helped me with some ideas for my story with vampires. It's always nice to see something that makes you want to write. (and for those of you that are reading that story as I go along, you know I haven't updated in awhile)

But then again, I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of seeing a vampire that was quite as yummy as Richard Roxburgh's Dracula. He's one of my newest concubines and he's taking up residence on my monitor as wallpaper right now.

Now I can stare at the computer screen and not do anything but drool.

But I'm sure those of you that haven't seen Van Helsing yet are curious. What does this Richard Roxburgh look like? you ask. Well I'm about to show you. Cos I won't give away the story, you'll just have to go see it for yourselves.

Anyway

The funny thing is, he's a natural blonde, well strawberry blonde.

And lastly a pic of the man, out of his Dracula costume.

And yes, he was the smarmy duke in Moulin Rouge. This man plays a good villian, much like Christopher Walken. Now what are you waiting for, go see the movie!

Saturday, May 15, 2004

The DSL connection has been acting up all morning, and part of last night. Talk about aggravating. It left me time to do a bit of reading. Mostly of the story that I'm working on, but I suppose that's better than doing nothing.

I probably should use this weekend to completely relax, Monday is going to be an extremely busy day. Yes, Monday is the Day of the Bowie concert! And Monday is almost one month til Moody Madness! Yes in one month I'll be seeing the Moody Blues, not once, but twice in one week.

Squee!

I don't think I've ever been so incredibly lucky with concert tickets either. I'm within the first 15 rows for all three shows. I'm very happy about that.

It will be so nice to see this man again. It will be really wonderful to see this man as well

What I wonderful month this is going to be. I think I better rest up now!

Friday, May 14, 2004

I Don't Think I Ever Watched This Much Telly

Last night was the last episode of Fraiser, and while I didn't watch that show on a regular basis, I watched this one, just to see how they'd end it. I watched Cheers growing up, so his character was with me for a very long time.

So, yeah, that's what I spent my night doing, watching clips of old episodes of Fraiser, which is similar to what I did the other night. I watched the Dick Van Dyke Show reunion. No, I wasn't alive when the first show was on, but I watched so many of them in reruns and then later when it was on TV Land.

The funny thing about TV and myself is, I don't really care for anything that's been on now. At least nothing that's new and American. I love British TV and their comedies are wonderful.

Thanks to our PBS stations, I got to watch all those wonderful old britcoms, Are You Being Served, Keeping Up Appearances, Black Adder, and then some other more recent ones too. I have a particular fondness for Red Dwarf and more recently Coupling.

But sadly nothing including the britcoms has made me really want to turn the telly on. More often than not, the computer is my entertainment. I see more movies than I do tv, except for my sudden need to watch General Hospital..

Thursday, May 13, 2004

Oh yeah, dieting and PMS do not go well together, combine that with extreme heat for the month of May and that makes this girl less than a happy camper.

~Note to all male readers...this would be a good time to read another post~

This week I've walked a total of 7 miles. I learned yesterday, thanks to my trusty pedometer that a walk around the hill that I live on is about a 2.24 mile walk. Not bad. I prefer to go to the walking path in Monessen, but I like to have company when I do that, and walking companions are damn hard to find. When I go there I usually get in between 3-5 miles.

So yeah...I feel like this .

Not to worry, I'm not exercising and eating a chicken leg. Honest. One would think that when you don't eat as much the scale could have the decency to budge just a little.

Well if it did, I wouldn't know thanks to all the PMS'y symptoms I've got now. Stupid disgusting 5 pounds of water weight that appeared as if by magic over night.

~grumbles~

You can thank me for sharing all of this with you later.

~more grumbles~

On a non - pms-y diety front, The Moody Blues are remastering their first 7 albums adding a bonues disc of stuff we haven't heard and 3 unreleased tracks in September. Justin is obviously taking a cue from David Bowie and planning to buy a mountain somewhere. No, screw it, he wants a whole country. Along with that, there's going to be a 1969 concert cd released as well and in June a DVD of some more concert footage. Not to mention that the Hayward is going to have a DVD out sans other moody men, if his website is to be believed, sometime in the next few months.

Yup, the Moody Men want a mountain, or a country, and definitely they want my money, cos you know, they don't have enough of it yet! Greedy Greedy Greedy!

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

The Wednesday Meme of choice, and now that I'm home from work...I can hump all I want!!
Brought to you by the wacky ladies at BDI! Go ahead, Hump! You know you want to!!

Wednesday Mind Hump - Week 18

First, a warm up. in celebration of the 1812 birthday of Edward Lear, the man who popularized the limerick, reveal seven things about yourself using the letters N-A-U-G-H-T-Y. One word a hundred words, it doesn't matter - just hump it, baby!

Never without music
Always the first to get a new CD
Usually quiet around strangers
Gregarious at times (or perhaps I wanted to use the word gregarious)
Healthy
Totally out of my mind
Yesterday....all my troubles seem so far away...now it looks as though they're here to stay

01. You are a character from a children fairy tale or nursery rhyme. Who are you and why?Belle from Beauty and the beast. Cos I like the idea of finding beauty where others cannot. If you look at some of my concubines you'll see, I prefer Geeky men to the usual poster boys...with the exception of my Moody Men.

02. You are a magic potion. What is your main ingredient(s) and what are you used for?

I'm Deadly Nightshade. I'm going to put you to sleep for a long long while...just ask Sally from Nightmare before Christmas.

03. Tell us your favorite joke. It an be naughty but clean up the language, puhleeze.

A southern belle is sitting on the porch sipping mint juleps with a friend.

Her friend smiles and stretches out her arm, "See all that land down yonder, my daddy bought that for me."

Again the other southern belle sipps her julep daintily and replies, "How Nice."

Again her freind goes on..."See that house up yonder on the hill. It has 13 bedrooms 8 bathrooms and a huge indoor swimming pool. My daddy had it built for me."

The other southern belle took another sip of her mint julep and replied, "How nice."

Her friend looked at her curiously, "Well, dahling, what did your daddy get for you?"

Too which she replied, "Finishing school."

"Finishing school? Whatever for?" her friend asked.

"It was to teach me to say How Nice when I really mean F@*# you!"

04. Imagine you're in the Old West. What town character would you be and what would your colorful nickname be? Example: School Marm - Old Widow Maples

I'm one of the dancers at the local saloon, and my favors don't come cheap. Just call me the Lovely Miss Andrea.

05. You are a mythological diety/god. What are you the god of? What offering(s) would worshippers lay at your feet? If one displeased you how would you smite them?

I am the goddess of music. If you wish to please me, you will bring me new music to listen to. You will burn me mix cds or purchase some lovely new album for me. If you incur my wrath. Whoa to you. You will be made to listen to wailing banshees, like Britney and Christina and Mariah etc for hours and hours!!

Wow! It's Wednesday already. I can't believe how quickly the week is flying by. Maybe that's because I have so much uncertainty in the coming week. Firstly, I don't know exactly how I'm getting to the Bowie concert.

Yes, I have a car and yes it runs properly. It's old though and it has some turn signal issues that I'd rather not have to deal with in city traffic. So I have one friend that's also going. She said she'd take me. That's all well and good, she has a large enough car. She hasn't mentioned what time she's coming to pick me up or anything. GAH!

I'd like to throttle her. Along with a few others right now. And just to let you in on a secret, I've only driven out of Downtown Pittsburgh alone once, and that was many many years ago, coming from a concert at the now defunct (oh yeah I like that word) Metropol. It was a Cheap Trick concert. I got lost. Had to drive in a circle to find the Liberty Bridge.

Oh Yeah, I'm a bright girl.

I hate hate hate driving in Pittsburgh alone. Hate it.

If this were the other venue that I'd be going to, Chevrolet Ampitheatre, on the South Side, I wouldn't have a fear in the world. Big parking lot, easy to get to and it's a straight shot from home almost.

Was this really what I wanted to rant about today? No!

The other part of what I wanted to rant about is the complete lack of spring in my part of the world. It's May 12 is it not. That's spring right? Tell that to the 80 plus degrees outside.

GAH!

I have never ever ever wanted to live south of the Mason Dixon line. I like my seasons. Only I'm getting shortchanged anymore. We have Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Summer.

A little more than a week ago we were almost frigid here, then magically overnight

BLAM! (uh oh..better make that KABLAM..lest Emerill gets pissy)

80 degrees! And it's staying that way too. That's just insane

Yup that little smiley reflects me. I'm about to perish from the heat. So would someone please tell me what happened to .

~CD Burners only make coasters when you use the expensive CDRs then they make many.

~New ideas for mix cds are becoming more difficult, but I do have on...courtesy of a friend on the Art of the Mix site. So who wants to make a mix with me?

The idea..I'll make half the mix and you make the other half. I'll burn the discs...etc. And we'll see what we come up with! Any takers. It usually takes about 20 songs (unless you really like 60's music)

Comment if you'd like to do this.

~Lastly, I did the Photo Time this week. If you want to see Simplicity, go here.

Monday, May 10, 2004

It's All Too Much

That's a Beatles' song, isn't it? Yup, it is, by Mr. George Harrison, but I digress.

I've had so much time to myself, but so little of it is "me" time. I was out of work for 8 months, as most of you know, and I have only been back to work for about a month now, though still not on a completely fulltime basis. Can I get a collective ARGH from all of you?

In eight months I've put on another stubborn twenty pounds, I've written countless stories, finished a novel, made mix cds, and was lucky enough to see and meet the Moody Blues. If it weren't for that subborn twenty pounds I'd almost say the last year was pretty good.

Over the past 3 months I've really put my all into writting, I finished my novel, wrote another 30 page short story and then started work on a novel that I had left to die on my hard drive.

As much as I love my writing, I've let "me" go downhill. This 20 pounds should not be here. I feel like a big fat moo cow.

This has to be stopped. I can't go on like this. When I was out of college I wore a size 2!! Of course that was 9 years ago. I'm not happy with the size 8/10 I'm in now.

I've been dieting since February with no luck. The scale will go down five pounds and then come up 6.

For a month I've almost completely given up my consumption of Coca-Cola, my only true addiction. Do you think Mr. Scale budged at all?

NOPE!

Mr. Scale hates my guts.

I'm now working and doing some spot reducing excercises on my tummy. I walked 4 miles today. Hopefully I'll be able to do that a few times a week.

But what I'm trying to say is, maybe my writing updates will only be every other day instead of everyday. I need to do this for myself, before I really start to fall apart.

Oh and to end on a happy note...

Thanks to Friday for making the lovely button for me. She made me about 5 or 6 of them, I'm going to rotate them weekly. Feel free to take it and linky back to me...once you upload onto your own sever...etc etc etc.

It's time for the great Monday Meme's, starting off with Monday Madness. I think I'm ready for this one!

1. If you had a farm, what would you name the following animals: Pig, Cow, Goose, Chicken and Horse (assume these are show animals and not food.)Pig: Paulie
Cow: Clarabelle
Goose: Goldie (In hopes of those golden eggs)
Chicken: Oh crikey..I'd be calling the chicken dinner...but then I'd turn vegetarian, cos I could never eat something that I named..same goes for the cow. The chicken would be called Little.
Horse: Jonesy (Yeah I'm naming a horse after a Monkee, kinda)

2. What are the top ten spices you use in cooking and what is cooked with them as the main spice (ie. Oregano: Spaghetti)This quesion is kinda one I can't touch with a ten foot pool. Why? The Music Whore can't boil water. Sad day for me. I hope there's a nice bloke out there that will cook for me someday, or I'll be a tv dinner lady at some point.

3. Name your favorite flower and describe yourself using the letters.Perpetually strange
Always on time
Not always as nice as I should be
Seldom stable
Yearning to be a published author.

Sunday, May 09, 2004

I'm not sure about the changes in blogger just yet though. I went to log in, and wooo, the page is different, suddenly there are built in comments, but nothing fun and or spectacular.

Blogger just got a slight makeover.

Speaking of makeovers, I want one.

Nothing extreme, I'm content with my face, but I'd like to have a nice change with the hair and someone to teach me some makeup techniques, that sort of thing. If they want to buy me some new clothes, I'm all for that too. DKNY all the way!

I always think those people that win the makeovers on Regis and Kelly are so lucky. Yeah, I occasionally get sucked into watching that show.

~sigh~

It makes me jealous that I'm never the one getting prettied up.

That's just so not fair.

And now blogger's got a makeover. This is just not right! I'm going to go pout in a corner.

Today's the day we honor all those women who have played a special part in shaping our lives, our mothers, grandmothers and godmothers. I'm glad that today I can say I still have two very special ladies in my life, my mom who is 70 and my grandmother who is 97. Without them, I wouldn't be half the person that I am today.

Both of them have been a great help to me in my almost 30 years, not just with the material things when I needed them, but in the important things like values that make me the person I am.

Some of you may not have your mother with you today, but it's still mother's day. Say a prayer for your mother if she's not there. Tell her you love her as many times as you can, if she's still around, because you never know how much time you have with her, and time is as precious as it is fleeting.

To all my friends out there who are mothers and to all the bloggers out there who are mother's

May your children remind you of the joy of motherhood today and for the rest of the year as well.

Nothing happening this early on a Sunday Morning, so I'm doing Sunday Brunch. I'm sure there will be other things to blog about as Mother's Day progresses. (Right now I'm thankful I'm not a mother)

So here we go

What Would You Do?
Everyone has different reactions to different situations. So, what would you do if you came upon the following...1. A person obviously struggling to keep their head above water in a pool or lake.It would be my first reaction to jump in, but I'm not a good swimmer and the ultimate outcome would be 2 people in need of rescue. I'd rush for a life guard first. If I couldn't see one quickly I'd probably jump in and join the other person in drowning.

2. You find a $100 bill on the floor in a store.Guess what? I'd pick it up and put it in my pocket. Not honest, nope. But then again no one is. If it was in a wallet that's another story. It has ownership. A hundred dollar bill is a hundred dollar bill, and I've got bills to pay, thanks for the free money.

3. A dog or cat with a broken leash wandering aimlessly in your neighborhood.I'd try to see if it were hurt or if it was friendly to strangers. If the dog or cat came over I'd check for tags or numbers. Someone is likely looking for this animal. I'd petsit until I could find its owners. If they never claim said dog or cat...I'd probably keep the animal. I don't like the idea of shelters. There are too many animals there, that people have thoughtlessly tossed away.

4. A person you don't know knocks on your door in the middle of the night claiming they have an emergency situation and want to use your telephone.This is a hard one. In the middle of the night in this day and age, I'm sorry, you aren't coming into the house. I don't know you, therefore I don't trust you. I'll make the 911 call, you just stay outside.

5. You see a car veer off the road and into the ditch.I would send someone to go check on the person in the car, if I could or go check myself. I'd call 911 if it was needed too and I'd wait til they got there before leaving.

Saturday, May 08, 2004

I've been contemplating this mix for months. What mix are you talking about? The mix of songs that I consider the best of the members of the Beatles solo works.

It's a large undertaking, I know. There are over 10 albums per member and with Paul McCartney, there's just so much and it's pretty damn good stuff. Paul is the hardest to pick tracks from, because I love so much of it. I did notice as I was choosing tracks, that I prefer his stuff after Wings. I adore albums like Tug of War, Press and Flowers In The Dirt. Tug of War was the first McCartney solo album that I bought. (or well, my parents bought)

Any of you have this one? My favorite song from this one? Ballroom Dancing. It was just a fun song for a 6 year old child to fall in love with. When he redid it for the the Give My Regards to Broad Street CD a few years later, I still loved it.

John Lennon's solo works are a bit harder for me. I loved John's songwriting while he was with the Beatles, but after 1967 I didn't enjoy it as much and when the Beatles broke up, I truly didn't really appreciate it at all. Imagine and Mind Games do nothing for me. For me, the songs that I love are from Double Fantasy and the songs that crept onto albums after his death. Nobody Told Me, is my favorite Lennon tune from his post Beatle days.

I guess I learned too much about the kind of man he was to really like him. I cringe when I hear people call Julian a brat. If my father ignored me in favor of another child, I'd be a brat too. I can't think that life would be easy for him either. That's a shame too, Jules has real talent.

Then there's George. Oh my, George. Just thinking about him makes me want to cry. He was one of my first crushes. It didn't matter to me that he was old enough to be my father, he was the Beatle of my dreams. I've always liked the silent type, though George wasn't really the 'Quiet' Beatle, he was the private Beatle. Picking songs from his catalog, especially from the Dark Horse years is going to be extremely difficult.

As for Ringo..he's very underrated. No he's not a phenonmenal songwriter or singer, but he's done some great tunes over the year. Always whimsical and always fun, that's Ringo. I have quite a few favorites there. A recommendation for you as well. If you haven't heard his latest album, Ringo-rama, I suggest you find it and give it a listen, two songs in particular; Never Without You and Elizabeth Reigns.

Wish Me Luck...I've got several tracks picked out...and thanks to Sabra, I have a few more to add. I'll post the final mix here and at Art Of The Mix later this weekend!

Until then, a picture of the Fab Four when they were young and oh so pretty.

Friday, May 07, 2004

It's about time the weekend finally got here! God it felt like the week just dragged on by! Last night was the only night that really flew by, of course that's because I actually went out. Well out to a movie. Mmmm, Secret Window, still good the second time around. Of course I don't think there is a Johnny Depp movie that isn't good for multiple viewings.

I love all Johnny Depp movies. (At least all of them that I've seen, and I've seen many)

The nice part of this movie trip was getting to Best Buy! Yay for Best Buy!! Yay for new cds! I bought a few Ringo Starr cds, Ringo-rama and his best of disc and George Harrison's Capitol best of disc and (you had better sit down for this) Diana Krall's The Girl In The Other Room.

It's against all I stand for to have bought this. After all, she's Krallomort, evil witch that is married to Elvis Costello.

~grumbles~

I don't like her voice much either, but oddly, as I've said before, Costello's songwriting has done much for her in my eyes. I wish it could do something to make her look less like Miss Piggy.

Oh and more sad news, the Friday Five is no more. What the hell am I going to do now when I have no blogging ideas on Fridays?

~more grumbles~

But it is Friday, and even though I'm not doing anything over the weekend, (Can't afford it, if I want to get anything at the Bowie concert on the 17th) I'm happy. I'm going to relax this weekend, do some writing in Not My Slave and make some mix cds. (The Beatles Solo mix...I've been trying to do for weeks now)

So without further ado, a celebratory picture to start the weekend off with.

Thursday, May 06, 2004

Let me just say, YAY! They caught the guy! Yay! It wasn't until almost 1 am that it happened. I just caught it on the news this morning. I feel much safer now.

In honor of all of this I'm going to go see The Secret Window again. My sister hasn't seen it and its at the dollar theater in West Mifflin, so I've volunteered to see the movie again. Its such a hard thing for me to do. I mean watching a movie with Johnny Depp for an hour and forty five minutes is such a trial. I don't know if I can handle it.

I mean really look at this:

Rough to deal with right?

I think I can handle it though. I'm strong. Just make sure that I have a drool bucket or two.

Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Living In Strange And Dangerous Times

I know many of you were wondering what I was blogging about in the Mind hump. A criminal manhunt? Yes, in my little hamlet of Charleroi, PA there is quite a stir.

Police tried to serve an arrest warrant on Franklin Sebetich yesterday at 9 am. He and another (who was later apprehended) escaped in a vehicle. That vehicle wrecked after a chase and Sebetich escaped into the wooded area around route 481.

Right now they believe the man to be hiding in a wooded area in Sacred Heart Cemetary, which is about 4 miles from where I live. Halfway between Charleroi and Monongahela. Some 200 officers are combing the area on foot in hopes of finding him.

Scary Scary times.

I have to say I'm .

For those of you that really want to know what's going on, click here.

I feel another sleepless night coming on. (And he's not really close to me)

I'm tempted to do another post today besides the mind hump. There's an intense criminal manhunt in my area. The target of the search is hiding in the woods about 3 miles from where I live. The man is armed and very dangerous. So needless to say. This loony didn't sleep very well last night.

GAH..

But onto happyier things, like the mind hump.

Wednesday Mind Hump - Week 17

This week a "getting to know you" theme with an insane twist.

First, a warm up. in celebration of our fresh and "Spring"y layout, using the letters B-O-I-N-G reveal five things about yourself. You can use just one word or just chatter, chatter, chatter. Either way, just go crazy!

Now...we wouldn't leave you with just half a hump so here's the rest so you can have the hump, the whole hump and nothing but the hump! Let's hump, shall we?

Beginning to wish the police would apprehend this guy.
OMG they've even closed the schools.
I'm not usually a scaredy cat, but this is frightening.
Not really into this today, I'm too busy watching the news
Going to calm myself down now.

01. If your blog were scratch and sniff, what would it smell like?Well just look at my blog it's all bright and colorful. I imagine if you could smell it, it would have a fruity smell. Mmm let me see....nope..sadly the blog doesn't smell like anything.

02. Which horror movie monster are you most like and why?Uh? Horror movie monster? GAH! Oh wait I think I'm return of the living dead girl! A very cheesy movie, kinda like vampire flick. I'm a night owl when I don't have to be awake early. So yeah, I'm vampirish.

03. If you were being sold in a Walmart, which department would you be in and what exactly would you be? Would you be on sale?I'd be in the music/electronics department of course. Would I be on sale? Hell no! People would spend anything to take me home! (laugh hysterically now if you wish)

04. Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Which element would you be. What form of that element would you be and why?Water. That way I could douse anyone that got on my nerves.

05. What sitcom character (past or present) do you think you are most like and why?Sitcom character? Oh sweet bejeebus, I don't watch the telly. I don't I tell you! How about cartoon character? I'm a lot like Daria. Remember her from Mtv yonks ago. I can't think of any character on tv now that would remind me of them.

As if you don't know enough about me already, here's an meme I nabbed from Otto.

I am: the music whore
I think: too much about things that I have no control over
I know: that things very seldom get better, they only get worse.
I want: financial freedom.
I have: way too many bills.
I wish: Justin Hayward would take me away from all of this.
I hate: not having money to do the things I want to do.
I miss: Greta the Grand Am
I fear: being unemployed again.
I feel: very sleepy
I hear: Ringo Starr singing..a Christmas song. (it's the winamp with the sense of humor again)
I smell: fabric softener on my jammies
I crave: acceptance
I search: for the lost chord. No wait...the Moody Blues do that.
I wonder: if I'll ever get published.
I pretend: that things will go my way.
I regret: letting opportunities pass me by.
I love: music and the moody blues
I long: for something more.
I care: passionately about my family.
I always: worry about things.
I am not: a strong person.
I believe: I'm a good writer
I promise: only when I can deliver.
I dance: around my bedroom quite often.
I sing: out loud quite often and very off key
I cry: more then I'd like to.
I am not always: smart when it comes to money matters.
I fight: only when its important.
I write: everyday.
I try: to keep track of all my ideas for stories
I never: let my heart rule my head.
I confuse: fantasy with reality.
I listen: to music while I write
I can usually be found: at my computer
I hide: when I want to be left alone.
I am scared: right now.
I need: to go to bed.
I expect: to get my tickets for 1776 in a few days.
I should: be finishing this soon.
I still: love the Moody Blues.
I already: finished this meme, I thought it would take much longer.

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

I did the 50 Questions Meme over at Wenches on Saturday and one of the questions was, "Have You Met Any Famous People?"

My answer was yes. I even have a few pictures to show for it. Most of them have floated around this blog before. Simply cos I like to show them off just a little. (That's gloating...and though I hate doing it...well if it's asked I'm going to tell)

So allow me to share some photographs of my episodes with greatness. Put your hand over my picture on the monitor, cos I'm not a pretty sight in any of these pictures. (I look like a big goof actually)

Eddie Izzard and me at the Byham Theatre in Pittsburgh

Elvis Costello and me outside the AJ Palumbo Center in Pittsburgh

My sister, John Lodge of the Moody Blues and me outside the Edward Powers Theatre in Youngstown OH

There are pics of my two friends and myself with two members of the Whose Line Is It Anyway cast as well, but I didn't think you needed to be subjected to more of my ugliness. This was definitely enough for one day.

~Lift my head....I'm still yawning...When I'm in the middle of a dream...Stay in bed....float upstream~

I'm now starting work at 9 o'clock, which has again thrown me for a loop. I was used to getting up at 6 to get ready, now I have extra time. Do you think I could use that extra time for sleep? Hell no! That would be too easy.

I'm up at 6:15 sitting here staring at the computer. I must be certifiably insane.

Oh wait I am.

The problem is, if you get me on a schedule for more than a week, my body adjusts and any little change throws me off kilter. Even on the weekends I don't sleep much later than 8:30. But wait, get this...I'm not a morning person. I'd much rather stay awake until 3 am than be up at 6. Oddly my body won't let me stay awake past midnight anymore.

How am I going to survive the drive to Atlantic City when I have to drive the last part of it?

Sweet Bejeebus!

Did I mention I can't take naps either?

I can't. My body only lets me sleep once for a long period of time, or nothing. Can you sense the fun that's in store for me? I'll be falling asleep at the Moody Blues concert!

ARGH!

Must do something to make sure that doesn't happen. Any ideas?

At least I'm not constantly sleepy anymore. That's a plus. I think it might be the drop in caffeine. I've gone down to only 1 can of CocaCola a day. Be proud! This is all in a vain attempt to lose weight. (that's not happening mind you)

I guess I can wait and hope, right? I promise I won't be sleeping at the wheel though.

Monday, May 03, 2004

Ok, doing the mambo, cos I like to dance. And when I get dancing...whooo weee. So from those wacky ladies at BDI, here's this week's Monday Mambo. (Italiano style)

Think of all the songs you have ever heard in your life..*thinking*..if you could have written any ONE of them which would it be and why?

Too many songs really. I'd love to have written something like I Want You, by Elvis Costello. It's so passionate and full of emotion, and I like that in a song. I also like how he sings it. It's very raw and powerful and leaves you wanting a cigarette afterwards. (or at least to grab him and throw him down and do naughty things to him)

Just to add a little more fun to your lives here is some 'I say, You think'...the only thing is anything I say you have to think of something music related.

It's time for one of the best meme's of the week, Monday Madness!! Woo hoo. To let all of you know, I won't be doing the Music Mambo until later in the day. Workplace mamboing is frowned upon.

So until then, I bring you....Mmmm Monday Madness!!

1. Do you collect anything?I'd be safe in saying I collect Music. Compact discs, cassettes, vinyl. You name it, the Music Whore has it. (or wants it)

2. How many items do you have in your collection?My guzzlefish total for CDs is over 1900, but the actual collection is well over 3000. I have promos and imports that they don't list there. I have a decent collection of vinyl as well, though not nearly as impressive as the CDs.

3. What is the most unusual piece in your collection?A few things actually:

1. Siouxsie and the Banshees last studio album The Rapture on glo in the dark vinyl
2. Moody Blues - blue vinyl single for The Other Side of Life
3. The Picture Book 45 of Magical Mystery Tour
4. Duran Duran Japanese Double CD of their 4 EPs from the early 80's
5. Justin Hayward's Songwriter vinyl promo
6. Signed copy of Elvis Costello's Cruel Smile
7. Signed copy of Erasure's Other People's Songs

and one more for good measure...
4. Is there anything you don't collect that you would like to collect?Money. I'd like to collect money. And when I collect enough money, I could add to my other collections.